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334
Nihongi.

Anaho, giving heed to the slander of Ne no Omi, put to death the Imperial Prince Ohokusaka and appointed the Imperial Princess Nakashi hime Empress. An account of this is given in the history of the reign of Anaho Tennō.]

"Our younger sister" [it seems to have been the ancient custom to address one's wife as "younger sister"], "although thou art Our friend, We fear Prince Mayuwa." Now Prince Mayuwa—who was only a boy—was playing below the tower, and heard everything that was said. Afterwards the Emperor Anaho, making a pillow of the Empress's knees, fell asleep in daylight (XIV. 2.) drunkenness. Hereupon Prince Mayuwa, watching the time when he was sound asleep, stabbed and murdered him. On this day one of the Oho-toneri ran [his name and surname are wanting[1]], and said to the Emperor[2]:—"The Emperor Anaho has been murdered by Prince Mayuwa." The Emperor was greatly shocked, and straightway being suspicious of his elder brothers, put on his armour and girded himself with his sword. Taking command of his troops in person, he urgently questioned the Imperial Prince Yatsuri no Shiro-hiko. The Imperial Prince, seeing that he wished to do him a mischief, sat silent and said not a word. So the Emperor drew his sword and slew him. Next he urgently questioned the Imperial Prince Sakahi no Kurohiko. But this Imperial Prince also knew that he was about to do him a mischief, and sat silent, saying not a word.[3] The Emperor's rage became still more violent, so with the further object of killing Prince Mayuwa as well, he examined him as to the reason of his conduct. Prince Mayuwa said:—"Thy servant has never sought the Celestial Dignity. He has only revenged himself on his father's enemy." The Imperial Prince Sakahi no Kurohiko, who feared profoundly the suspicion in which he was held, communicated secretly with Prince Mayuwa, and they at last found an opportunity (XIV. 3.) of getting away together. They fled to the house of the Oho-omi[4] Tsubura. The Emperor sent a messenger to ask

  1. This note is rejected by the "Shukai" edition. It is certainly frivolous.
  2. i.e. to the Emperor Yūriaku.
  3. The "Kojiki" relates these events quite differently.
  4. Oho-omi is written with the characters read in later times Daijin, i.e. Great Minister or Prime Minister.